Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

If i conceal a peace of merchandise have i shop lifted

I was in a wall mart shopping i put a bag of candy in my pocket and was walking around the store, after i was finished shopping i walked up to the registar and bought my candy amognst other things, and walked. upon leaving the store a scurity gaurd asked me to show him my receipt. I showed him and he began to tell me i had shoplifted buy putting the candy into my pocket(concealing) until i got to the counter. what kind of joke is this, i never tried to leave the store? does anyone know the rules on this situation, i would appreciate the feed back. sincerly the not so robbing robber


Asked on 10/18/00, 9:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lisa Polansky Attorney at Law

Re: If i conceal a peace of merchandise have i shop lifted

The law does not require that you leave the store, only that you move or conceal the item with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Once you paid for the candy, the issue should have been resolved as you obviously then took it out and paid for it, right? If you did not pay for the candy, however, there may have been a problem and that is why the security guard asked for proof that you paid for it...you did not get arrested, did you? I would not think that you would under those circumstances.

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Answered on 11/15/00, 11:34 am


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